16
CVO ANNUAL REPORT 2018
The College takes its public
protection role in regulating the
practice of veterinary medicine very
seriously. The College sets standards
of practice and expects veterinarians
to meet them. Veterinarians in
Ontario are committed to providing
safe, quality animal care.
Investigations & Resolutions
The public expects and trusts the College to
address all concerns about a veterinarian’s practice
or conduct. The College receives, investigates, and
acts upon complaints from the public.
Conduct issues are screened by two Committees
(Executive and Complaints) depending on the
concern and the breadth of the investigation
necessary. A panel, which includes licensed
veterinarians and a representative of the public,
examines the details of each case.
The most serious cases, which are those referred
to the Discipline Committee, include a public
hearing. Findings from discipline proceedings are
available to the public on the College’s website at
www.cvo.org and on the Public Register.
Issues of fitness to practice (health or impairment)
are dealt with by the Executive Committee and
separately from the Complaints stream.
Allegations of unauthorized practice, or an
individual or organization practising veterinary
medicine without a licence in Ontario, are
investigated by the Registrar.
In 2017–18, 14 claims of unauthorized practice
were investigated by the College.